What are the events which may produce it? 1. The
want of bread, were it to produce a commencement of disorder, might ally
itself to more permanent causes of discontent, and thus continue the
effect beyond its first cause. The scarcity of bread, which continues
very great amidst a plenty of corn, is an enigma which can be
solved only by observing, that the furnishing the city is in the new
municipality, not yet masters of their trade. 2. A public bankruptcy.
Great numbers of the lower as well as higher classes of the citizens,
depend for subsistence on their property in the public funds. 3. The
absconding of the King from Versailles. This has for some time been
apprehended as possible. In consequence of this apprehension, a person,
whose information would have weight, wrote to the Count de Montmorin,
adjuring him to prevent it by every possible means, and assuring him
that the flight of the King would be the signal of a St. Barthelemi
against the aristocrats in Paris, and perhaps through the kingdom. M. de
Montmorin showed the letter to the Queen, who assured him solemnly that
no such thing was in contemplation. His showing it to the Queen, proves
he entertained the same mistrust with the public. It may be asked, What
is the Queen disposed to do in the present situation of things? Whatever
rage, pride, and fear can dictate in a breast which never knew the
presence of one moral restraint.
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